Board

50CAN’s board of directors is made up of leaders in education, business and philathropy who are working together to ensure that our advocacy efforts get results for kids.

I joined the 50CAN board because...

Sandy Vargas - Board Chair

former CEO & president, The Minneapolis Foundation

Quite simply, I’m passionate about doing everything we can to improve the educational outcomes of ALL our kids. We need to put our children’s needs first and focus on proven ways to transform our schools. Driving that transformation motivates me every day.

Ann Borowiec

former CEO, JP Morgan Private Wealth Management

I joined the board of 50CAN because I believe in high quality education for ALL children. 50CAN is taking on the vital work of advocacy for research based education reforms, while recognizing that this needs to be led by local leadership to drive change at the state policy level. That is what attracted the New Jersey community and business leaders to form JerseyCAN, the 6th state to partner with 50CAN, and I am proud to co-chair the JerseyCAN board with Governor Kean. As a board member of 50CAN, I bring the local perspective to this unique partnership.

Dacia Toll

co-CEO & president, Achievement First

I joined the 50CAN board because we still haven’t made good on our country’s promise of equal opportunity for all children. I work every day with teachers, parents and principals who are doing their part, and their example is inspirational. But the longer I work in schools, the more convinced I am of the game-changing, gap-closing difference that student-focused state policies can make for both kids and educators. 50CAN is working to enact those policies and make an excellent education possible for all of our kids.

David Wick

chief external impact officer, KIPP Foundation

We have seen incredible progress over the past 20+ years where game-changing organizations and educators have proven what’s possible for children in underserved communities. However, to achieve our vision that all children receive a high-quality education, we need to recognize that what has gotten us to this point may not be enough to truly achieve educational equity. We have a lot of work to do, but with their focus and talent, 50CAN is well-positioned to make a huge impact on this next chapter of reform.

Jonathan Sackler

director, Purdue Pharma & founder of ConnCAN

I joined the 50CAN board because advocacy plays a crucial role in helping to shape policy. Our system of universal free education is itself the result of advocacy by figures like Thomas Jefferson, who recognized that unlocking individual abilities would greatly enhance the prosperity and health of the nation. Today, we find ourselves with a system that is falling behind, failing too many children and highly resistant to change. 50CAN seeks to create the conditions where great leaders and practitioners can forge a brilliant future for public education in America.

Marc Porter Magee

CEO & founder, 50CAN

We are working on the biggest problem our nation faces and we are doing it at a scale that—if we do our jobs right—can actually solve that problem. And it just so happens that to do our jobs right we have to build this amazing organization that brings together passionate, talented people from across the country who in turn connect us together with leaders and advocates from across their states. It's like Jane Addams' Hull House meets Kennedy's moon shot.

Michael Phillips

senior pastor, The Kingdom Life Church

As the pastor of a church in West Baltimore, I have seen firsthand the challenges our young people face in trying to attain a high-quality education and a meaningful career. As a member of the MarylandCAN board, I have seen what’s possible for our children and how community members in general, and faith leaders in particular, can help achieve it. I am excited to bring my experiences and insights to the work of 50CAN and look forward to amplifying the voices of other community leaders across the country.

Roland Martin

managing editor & host, NewsOne Now

The most fundamental way to change poverty and income inequality in America is through education. And unless we are willing to advocate and demand education reform now, we will never be a more perfect union.